Construction is underway on a new affordable housing community for seniors in Greenville.
City leaders and project partners broke ground on Southernside West, a 54-unit apartment complex on West Washington Street for residents 55 and older.
Southernside West on West Washington Street, Greenville.City of Greenville
Ten percent of the units will be reserved for people with disabilities, with rents geared toward households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area's median income. Mayor Knox White says the project reflects Greenville's commitment to being "a city for everyone."
Southernside West is expected to be completed in October 2027, with leasing beginning in the spring of 2028.
City of Greenville Press Release below:
City and Partners Unite for Southernside West Groundbreaking
Wed, Aug 05, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
New Affordable Housing Project Takes Shape near Unity Park
City officials, neighbors and partners gathered in Greenville’s historic Southernside neighborhood to break ground on Southernside West — a new 54-unit affordable senior apartment community at 846 West Washington Street. This four-story development is designed for residents aged 55 and older, with 10% of units reserved for individuals with disabilities. The development will offer a mix of affordability levels for households earning between 30% and 80% of area median income (AMI), that’s $20,000-$54,000 for an individual and $23,000-$60,000 for a couple.
Fulfilling Community Promises
The City of Greenville has leveraged every available tool — land donations, partnerships, funding commitments and collaboration with organizations like Greenville Housing Fund, CommunityWorks, and Harmony Housing — to make this vision a reality.
“This project reflects Greenville's commitment to building a city for everyone,” said Mayor Knox White. “Greenville's success depends on ensuring that people of all ages and income levels, including seniors who helped build this community, can continue to call Greenville home.”
Councilwoman Lillian Brock Flemming shared a personal perspective.
“While this represents years of public initiative, it is decades of vision coming to life. For many, this is a construction site, but for me, it’s home.”
Lillian Brock FlemmingCity of Greenville
Honoring the Legacy of the Southernside Block Partnership
Southernside West rises on ground shaped by decades of grassroots leadership and community care. Long before plans for affordable senior housing took form, the address was home to the Southernside Block Partnership, a nonprofit founded in 1982 by Council member Flemming’s mother, Lila Mae Brock.
Brock settled in Southernside in the late 1930s and became a pillar of the community — feeding neighbors from her back porch, organizing clean-up efforts and offering support to anyone in need. Her unwavering commitment led to the creation of the Partnership, which provided food distribution, clothing resources and vital social programs for decades.
“Southernside's story is one of resilience, pride and perseverance. The future we are creating here honors the history of this neighborhood. It honors the families who raised children here, the neighbors who looked out for one another and the generations who built a community worth preserving,” said Council member Flemming.
Partnerships and Progress
Harmony Housing Affordable Development (HHAD) and Greenville Housing Fund (GHF) are the developers, with financing from Huntington Bank, CommunityWorks, and SC Housing’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The City of Greenville contributed land and the Greenville Housing Authority provided 14 project-based vouchers. The project team includes McMillan Pazdan Smith (architect), Creative Builders (general contractor), Thomas & Hutton (civil engineer) and NHE, Inc. (property manager).
Council member Dorothy Dowe underscored the importance of collaboration: “Southernside West is an important piece of a much larger effort. No single development will solve Greenville's housing challenges, and city leaders have long recognized that expanding housing opportunities requires a multifaceted approach. Partnerships make this work possible. This development is the result of collaboration among nonprofits, financial institutions, developers and community organizations.”
Southernside West will offer modern in-unit features and community amenities, including a welcoming community room, fitness center, free on-site parking and bike racks. “Southernside West is designed to provide high-quality, affordable housing that supports the health, independence, and well-being of Greenville’s senior population,” said Aimee Gornto, Senior Development Associate with HHAD.
Completion of Southernside West is expected by October 2027, with leasing available by spring 2028. The project will complement Southernside East, located at West Washington and Hudson Streets, which will add 93 units to the community by late 2026 or early 2027.
